Practical
Plants

Crocus serotinus

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Crocus
Height
0.05 m
Fertility
Bees, Butterflies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Butterflies

Uses

Edible uses

The flowers are used as a saffron substitute in flavouring food and colouring it yellow[3][4].

Product or use
Colouring
Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

The yellow dye obtained from the stigmas yields a yellow dye, it is a saffron substitute[3].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Southern Europe to Northern Africa and Western Asia.
Habitat
Stony slopes in scrub and open pine woods[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light sandy soil in pots in a cold frame[1]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in early spring[1]. Sow thinly because the seed usually germinates freely[1], within 1 - 6 months at 18°c[2]. Unless the seed has been sown too thickly, do not transplant the seedlings in their first year of growth, but give them regular liquid feeds to make sure they do not become deficient. Divide the small bulbs once the plants have died down, planting 2 - 3 bulbs per 8cm pot. Grow them on for another 2 years in a greenhouse or frame and plant them out into their permanent positions when dormant in late summer[K]. Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[5]. Division f the clumps after the leaves die down in spring[1][5]. The bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, conditions and positions[1]. Plants grow well in a peaty soil in a bulb frame and should succeed outdoors in a sandy peaty soil[7]. The subspecies C. serotinus austriacus can be naturalized in grass or beneath deep rooting trees on light well-drained soils[5]. Plants tend to move considerably from their original planting place because of their means of vegetative reproduction, it is therefore wise not to grow different species in close proximity[1]. Any planting out is best done in late spring or early summer[6]. Mice are very fond of the corms of this species[1]. Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[5]. The flowers are only open during the day time, closing at night[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  7. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

    ↩1↩2

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